Considering the (at times quite heated) debate over the merits and failings of the TIE Defender that's raging in another thread, I've decided to try a few 100 point Defender lists at tonight's game night at my LGS.
I fly Defenders quite regularly in 300 point games where I have more points to play with, but I'm less sure how I can make the seemingly eye-wateringly high cost fit into an effective 100 point list.
So Defenderphiles - what do you recommend for a fun, effective 100 point list?
The Colonel, the Baron and the Uglies
Vessery with Veteran Instinct
Scimitar Squadron
Scimitar Squadron
Soontir Fel with Push the Limit and Autothrusters
Vessery moves in with the Bombers while Fel flank. You tag your target of choice with the Bombers and try to block with them at the same time. You should always target two different ship with the Bombers so that Vessery is not predictable with his target. Very fun to fly and pretty effective against any build I went against. If there is a Rebel Captive somewhere, you shoot with Fel first feeding on the stres for a Focus, or if it is Vessery that do it, you still have a TL each turn so action is not as important as with other Defenders.
As a list element, I like Vessery + Adrenaline Rush, and it's comparable in price to the typical Soontir Fel builds.
Delta + Ion Cannon is also effective, and also relatively inexpensive.
As for lists, I've run Vessery/Bounty Hunter/2x Scimitar with some success. You can sub out the Firespray for a Buzzsaw Shuttle, if you prefer those, and that gets you an extra point for AR on Vessery.
I finished 3rd in a recent tourney with
Vessery w/ VI, HLC
Omicron shuttle w/ vader, ST-321
Dark curse w/ targeting computer
Academy tie
More recently though I've been playing a variant;
Vessery w/ Ion cannon, VI
Soontir w/ royal guard, PTL, autothrusters, targeting computer
Omicron shuttle w/ vader, ST-321
alternatively you can drop soontir to a royal guard pilot and up the ion cannon to a HLC. both effective lists I've yet to suffer a loss with that I didn't think could be chalked down to bad decisions. You live and learn hey
The Colonel, the Baron and the Uglies
Vessery with Veteran Instinct
Scimitar Squadron
Scimitar Squadron
Soontir Fel with Push the Limit and Autothrusters
Vessery moves in with the Bombers while Fel flank. You tag your target of choice with the Bombers and try to block with them at the same time. You should always target two different ship with the Bombers so that Vessery is not predictable with his target. Very fun to fly and pretty effective against any build I went against. If there is a Rebel Captive somewhere, you shoot with Fel first feeding on the stres for a Focus, or if it is Vessery that do it, you still have a TL each turn so action is not as important as with other Defenders.
I was going to add the condition: "preferably something that includes Bombers"
Looks like I didn't have to 
Thanks Red
edit - and Vorpal
Edited by FunkletonI've fitted a Delta with HLC into my lists several times. In it's last game it one shotted a Phantom, which was nice
I love the design, so even if it isn't the most effective spend I've learnt how to fly it half decently and it pulls it's weight most of the time.
Happy to share a few.
Mercenary Firespray with recon specialist, two deltas with flechette cannons.
Captain Jonas with predator plus two deltas with HLC.
Rexler with predator and HLC accompanied by mini swarm.
Rexler with predator plus HLC and shield upgrade, vessery with VI HLC and shield upgrade.
I've had good luck with "Imperial Fists":
Col. Vessery w/ VI
Turr Phenir w/ PTL, and Shield Upgrade
Omnicron w/ Weapons Eng, Eng. Upgrade, and Adv. Sensors.
1 pt to spare. You can put Int. Agent on the Shuttle, but I always forget about him. The Shuttle can get his 2 TL before he bumps or something. He can also do a boost and then a red 2 sharp turn to really turn around in the fight. It's something I've read online.
I did this list before Auto Thrusters. You can put them on Turr and get some points back. That gives you 3 pts to spare. Ion Cannon on the Col.? Hull Upgrade? Rebel Captive on the Shuttle?
The trick with this list is the approach. Try to get them to spread out their fire. If someone targets fire on the Shuttle too soon, it dies. Get them tempted with a shot or two (no more) on Turr. He can usually weather some damage, and after the furball starts, he can usually stay out of arcs (unless it's turrets). I try to have the Shuttle and Defender focus on the same target. Try to plan your moves so you stay near the shuttle.
Hope this helps!
If your FLGS will allow proxied cards I would suggest Vader(Tie x1) with ATC and Vessery. They are BFF's and have built in synergy. Those two leave lots of options for the rest of your squad since they only cost 65.
I've had some success lately with Rexler Brath (Predator), Carnor Jax (PTL/Hull Upgrade), and a Royal Guard (PTL/Hull Upgrade). The Interceptors usually Focus+Evade, and anyone that tries to take advantage of their reluctance to K-Turn becomes Rexler bait.
Soontir (PTL, Royal Guard Tie, Stealth Device, Auto-thrusters)
Delta Squadron Pilot (Flechette cannon) X 2
personal favorite and one of my 3 most preferred lists throughout the time ive been playing x-wing
Edited by ficklegreendiceIf your FLGS will allow proxied cards I would suggest Vader(Tie x1) with ATC and Vessery. They are BFF's and have built in synergy. Those two leave lots of options for the rest of your squad since they only cost 65.
No problem with that - the other list I'm running tonight will be Vader, X1, ATC, Procket, Predator, and EU, with 2 x scimitars with seismics, plus 2 academies
I've found the 2 scim + seismic + 2 academy mini-swarm is a pretty solid base to build a squad around and leaves plenty of points for an elite pilot
If your FLGS will allow proxied cards I would suggest Vader(Tie x1) with ATC and Vessery. They are BFF's and have built in synergy. Those two leave lots of options for the rest of your squad since they only cost 65.
No problem with that - the other list I'm running tonight will be Vader, X1, ATC, Procket, Predator, and EU, with 2 x scimitars with seismics, plus 2 academies
I've found the 2 scim + seismic + 2 academy mini-swarm is a pretty solid base to build a squad around and leaves plenty of points for an elite pilot
I like Backstabber and Dark Curse or Night beast. That's 4 ships with solid abilities that should make target priority difficult for your opponent.
If your FLGS will allow proxied cards I would suggest Vader(Tie x1) with ATC and Vessery. They are BFF's and have built in synergy. Those two leave lots of options for the rest of your squad since they only cost 65.
No problem with that - the other list I'm running tonight will be Vader, X1, ATC, Procket, Predator, and EU, with 2 x scimitars with seismics, plus 2 academies
I've found the 2 scim + seismic + 2 academy mini-swarm is a pretty solid base to build a squad around and leaves plenty of points for an elite pilot
I like Backstabber and Dark Curse or Night beast. That's 4 ships with solid abilities that should make target priority difficult for your opponent.
Yep - I like Dark Curse a lot, unless I'm on the opposite side trying to kill him - in which case I ******* hate him
Happy to share a few.
Mercenary Firespray with recon specialist, two deltas with flechette cannons.
I REALLY like the sound of this one.
This has been my goto list for a while:
Colonel Vessery (35)
Outmaneuver (3)
Ion Cannon (3)
Cluster Missiles (4)
Omicron Group Pilot (21)
Sensor Jammer (4)
Weapons Engineer (3)
ST-321 (3)
Academy Pilot (12)
Academy Pilot (12)
Total: 100
The Academy Pilots fly with the shuttle and act as blockers. Vessery flies as a flanker. If on the first moves the opponent goes for Vessery, he runs towards the shuttle's arc. If the opponent goes after the shuttle, Sensor Jammer helps it tank while the other team gets pounded by the TIEs and Vessery. If the opponent goes after the TIEs, they break off and come around again after getting damage. The shuttle can target multiple targets for Vessery, making the opponent not exactly sure which one it's going after, or target for Vessery & himself. Whatever works at the time. If the shuttle dies, it's usually late in the game where most of the other team is dead anyway.
It's even good at taking out Phantoms. Even without Outmaneuver, Vessery has a pretty good chance of landing an Ion on a Phantom. Then, every ship that can gets arc on the Phantom which can't shoot back next turn. Vessery then moves to Outmaneuver and launches his cluster missile. If the Phantom survives that, it gets killed by the shuttle & TIEs.
You can also remove Sensor Jammer to give the shuttle an Engine Upgrade, or give Vessery a shield, or promote an Academy to Backstabber...whatever floats your boat.
No More Whisper
Rexler Brath — TIE Defender 37
Veteran Instincts 1
Heavy Laser Cannon 7
Carnor Jax — TIE Interceptor 26
Veteran Instincts 1
Omicron Group Pilot — Lambda-Class Shuttle 21
Advanced Sensors 3
Engine Upgrade 4
Ps10 Rex plus ps10 Carnor can nuke all of your least-favorite 3 agility targets.
I finished 3rd in a recent tourney with
Vessery w/ VI, HLC
Omicron shuttle w/ vader, ST-321
Dark curse w/ targeting computer
Academy tie
More recently though I've been playing a variant;
Vessery w/ Ion cannon, VI
Soontir w/ royal guard, PTL, autothrusters, targeting computer
Omicron shuttle w/ vader, ST-321
alternatively you can drop soontir to a royal guard pilot and up the ion cannon to a HLC. both effective lists I've yet to suffer a loss with that I didn't think could be chalked down to bad decisions. You live and learn hey
Like most of these lists and will try a few as I love the Defender but how much does VI help in your games? PS8 just doesn't seem all that useful unless you see a lot of Dash maybe. I keep trying to find a place for calculation and some of these lists with VI seem like a place to squeeze it in. Annoying that you need to use your focus but at one point, if you can drop a crit at the right time it might be worth it.
Rexler Brath, VI, HLC, Ion Pulse Missile, Shield Upgrade 52
Colonel Vessery, Decoy, HLC, Shield Upgrade 48
-This one has won me a local tournament and second in a store championship. It's fun to fly and better than it looks with surprisingly good match-ups against a variety of lists.
Soontir Fel, PTL, Sheild Upgrade, Autothrusters 36
Rexler Brath, Predator, HLC, Shield Upgrade 51
Academy Pilot 12
I was impressed with Biophysical's list/report:
I've only flown this once, but it worked quite well vs BBBBZ:
Brath w/ Lone Wolf, Shield Upgrade, HLC and either prockets or IPM
Whisper w/ VI, FCS, gunner & ACD
Was fun.
ninja'd....
Edited by blade_mercurialA Lambda with Advanced Sensors and Fleet Officer is excellent for Defenders. Just three more points puts a Weapons Engineer on board which synergies great with Vessery.
Both ATC and AC TIE advanceds are also good pairings with Vessery, ATC because the lock stays in place, AC because they lock once for Vessery and never have any incentive to spend it.
Soontir (PTL, Royal Guard Tie, Stealth Device, Auto-thrusters)
Delta Squadron Pilot (Flechette cannon) X 2
personal favorite and one of my 3 most preferred lists throughout the time ive been playing x-wing
I too love these three ships together. Try this:
Soontir+PTL+Title+Autothruster+TC
Delta+Ion x2
It's a total beast. If everything is running as it should, Soontir will rarely be in a firing arc and will be able to take a TC action. Running two Delta's with Ions means you can even control big ships!
I too love these three ships together. Try this:Soontir (PTL, Royal Guard Tie, Stealth Device, Auto-thrusters)
Delta Squadron Pilot (Flechette cannon) X 2
personal favorite and one of my 3 most preferred lists throughout the time ive been playing x-wing
Soontir+PTL+Title+Autothruster+TC
Delta+Ion x2
It's a total beast. If everything is running as it should, Soontir will rarely be in a firing arc and will be able to take a TC action. Running two Delta's with Ions means you can even control big ships!
Edit: actually, I forgot to mention I flew it pre-autothrusters, so hull up on Fel instead of AT & TC. Another reason maybe I didn't get as much out of it I'd like...
Edited by blade_mercurialI've tried just thrusters, but I find the SD too important for me
I trust green dice like I trust wet tissue, and I need a lot of wet tissue to stop even the most humble attacks from getting through some awful luck
Wow - thanks everyone - that's about a year's worth of lists to be getting along with
Keep em coming though